JCPSLP Vol 16 no 3 2014_FINAL_WEB

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 3. Clothing/uniforms worn by speech-language pathologists in (a) Europe, (b) South America, and (c) Asia

theory, CHAT, was used as an analytical framework for interpreting the collected data. Using the framework, data were coded and organised into one or more of the six elements of CHAT (i.e., object, subject, mediating artifact, rules, community and division of labour). The data contained within each element were then considered and main themes arising within each element were identified using grounded theory. The themes identified within each element were then considered individually as well as collectively to create an understanding of the interconnected nature of all things occurring in the activity system and how they work with or against each other. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to practice can be used to identify possible means to address the challenges identified within the activity system to improve practice. A number of different tools can be used to assist in the analysis of qualitative data. These tools help with organising and coding large quantities of data into to make sense of what has been observed and collected. In particular, computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (Silverman, 2011) is often used to facilitate the analysis of qualitative data. In the Embracing Diversity – Creating Equality study, NVIVo 9 software (QSR International, 2009) was used as an organisational tool to assist in the analysis of interview transcripts, fieldnotes, photographs, video- recordings, and personal reflections. This software enabled the systematic coding of all data forms into the six elements of CHAT. Some data were assigned to more than one category if appropriate. Coding allowed for the identification of themes arising in the data and a synthesis of similarities and differences in speech-language pathology practices around the world, which will form the findings of the Embracing Diversity – Creating Equality study (forthcoming). It is hoped that the results of this study will generate new insights for engaging in culturally appropriate practice in speech-language pathology and pave the way for such methodologies to be used more broadly to address other areas of need in the profession. There are a number of important considerations for those attempting to engage in qualitative research for the first time. The most important aspect of qualitative research to be acknowledged is its inherently subjective nature. All experiences, as well as the interpretation and reporting of data, are undertaken through the lens of the researchers and their personal, social, and cultural context. While some Important considerations when undertaking qualitative research

from South America wearing a lab coat (Figure 3b) and the SLP from Asia wearing professional plain clothes (Figure 3c). Video Video data enables experiences to be re-lived and shared with others. Video data are useful in accounting for both the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication that may not be able to be conveyed through transcripts of audio- recordings or through still photographic images (Grbich, 1999). In the Embracing Diversity – Creating Equality study video data were use to document therapy techniques used by SLPs. Video data were useful in capturing the complexity of such interactions. For example, the use of ultrasound technology with a child during one session was recorded to show how the technology worked and how the SLP interacted with the child and the technology to provide instruction and feedback on therapy targets. Personal reflections Personal reflections provide important insight into how the researcher thinks, feels and acts. This is important given that qualitative data are collected, interpreted and reported using the lens of the researcher (Grbich, 1999). Writing personal reflections enables researchers to be critically reflective of their experiences and processes in data collection. In the Embracing Diversity – Creating Equality study personal reflections were used to capture the researcher’s experience of being exposed to such culturally and linguistically diverse situations. These documents proved to be useful as they captured the “culture shock” that is often forgotten after being immersed in a new setting after a period of time. This quote is an example of a personal reflection, which describes the experience of walking through the streets in the location of one of the research sites: “ People lay sick and crying in the streets, some had even passed out in the heat with no one to give them medical care. During the day felt quite safe but it was frightening to go out at night ... ” Such reflections provided insight into the broader context of the research sites which could not be captured through documentation of the clinical setting alone. Using rigorous methods to analyse data Qualitative data analysis is scaffolded and underpinned by the use of a theoretical lens or framework. There are countless theories which have been applied to the study of practice. Each theoretical lens allows the data to be viewed from a different perspective with a common purpose, that is, to gain an understanding of what has been observed. In the Embracing Diversity – Creating Equality study one such

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JCPSLP Volume 16, Number 3 2014

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